Introducing Baby Cleo

Well, we have yet another new baby on the Johnson farm! Her name is Cleo! Don't tell the others, but I think she is the cutest one yet! See for yourself....

The story of little Cleo's birth is pretty good! On Saturday afternoon we had let the babies and the moms out to frolic. Eric and I were remarking on the fact that Maggie looked like she was ready to go anytime. I checked on her Saturday night at 11, and nothing was going on. Sunday morning the girls and I got up and headed out to church. I asked Eric if he would go check on the goats because I was in a hurry. Part way to church Lauren texted him and asked how the goats were doing. He sent a picture of Maggie and Cleo!

Cleo was sleeping under her heat lamp, all clean and dry. She was already able to stand up and find out where to eat. That was the easiest delivery I've ever seen! haha. So we decided that sh was born sometime early Sunday morning, January 30. 20 days after her half-sisters, Ali and Belle.

Speaking of Ali and Belle, they are 3 weeks old and getting very frisky! They are jumping all over and wanting to get out! I do let them out when it gets over 20 degrees. This morning it's only -16, so I wont' even open the hut to see them. I have to peek through the cracks. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 28, so i think I will introduce the sisters to each other. Let's hope that Maggie is pleasant. That may be too much to hope for....

Goat Coats

It is very cold out there! I have decided that the babies need a little extra warmth. I'm pretty sure they would be fine without it, but what the heck. Here is a picture of them in their coats!

Forecast is calling for -10 tonight and -25 tomorrow. I suppose Maggie will decide that this is a perfect time for HER to have some babies!!

Stay warm!

Big News on the Little Farm!

Hello friends!

Big news here on the Johnson Farm! We finally have babies! As you've seen, little Ali and little Belle have joined us! They were born last Monday, January 10. We were so excited to have them! They were anticipated, but kind of a surprise. Let me take you back....

On December 12, Eric called me out to the goats to tell me that he thought maybe they were going to have babies. I had given up all hope of having them after having spent all spring and summer thinking they were in labor every other week. I had just decided that Pete was "slow" and wasn't interested in girls. And I'm OK with that! But, it doesn't help to increase the herd.... at any rate, I wasn't really thinking babies!!

On Sunday night, December 13th, the coldest night of 2010, Tigo, our fainter, gave birth to premature twins. A boy and a girl. They were born with heartbeats, but never took a breath. it was a very hard loss for us. I even tried to give them mouth to mouth (Eric urged me to never tell anyone that.... I didn't listen). Tigo is doing just fine now. I think she just didn't want to care for babies in the winter! And after all the work I've done, I don't blame her! haha.

So I figured that Gympy was going to be next. I thought maybe soon after. But it was a month later. A month of checking and double checking every day to see if she was making any progress. Finally, last Monday, Lauren came in the house screaming that she could hear baby goats. Lo and behold, I got to the hut just as they were standing. Still wet. What a sight! I was so happy.

On one more sad note, we lost our favorite goat friend, Frank, this fall. Not sure what happened, we just found her in the hut one day. It sure was a loss. But, the babies are helping to heal us!

I plan to keep everyone updated as more things happen.... did I mention that Maggie is ready to have babies anytime??? Keep watching!!

Kandi